The ties that bind…

When members of the Norwich Corps graduate and leave college life behind to join the military, they connect to a new world where there are unanticipated ties and meetings with many Norwich alumni.

That’s the case with Capt. Pete Beamer, ’08, of A Battery 1-41, 3rd infantry division in Rhine Germany, who has discovered to his pleasure that two Norwich grads are in his battery.

First Lt. Caleb Fournier (left), is a 2013 grad and 2nd platoon leader, and 2nd Lt. Robert Gendron (right), who graduated in 2014, is 1st Platoon’s fire direction officer.

In the photo he sent us above, here’s what he had to say: “Pictured, we’re in Manheim, Germany at the completion of our 2nd tour in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR) turning in our M109A6 Paladins (self-propelled artillery) as part of the European Activity Set. During our whirlwind tour of Europe, the battery fired hundreds of rounds in support of our supported maneuver units from 1ABCT, 3ID and our NATO allies in Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia.

In Latvia, 2PLT was the first self propelled artillery to fire in that country; and in Estonia 1PLT was the first American artillery unit of any type (and the first self-propelled guns since

the Soviet occupation) to fire in that country.

The mission he explained, was as follows: “The United States is demonstrating its continued committment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO

allies and partners of America’s dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine.”

All of which goes to demonstrate what Corps alumni know well, that graduation from Norwich is a beginning, not the end, of a lifetime of connection to the school.